Bill Read Blog: Tropical Storm Bill moving inland

HOUSTON – At 2 p.m., the center of Tropical Storm Bill was located just inland between Seadrift and Rockport.  Bill was moving toward the west at 9 mph.

Maximum winds were 60 mph in rain bands near the center.  Tropical storm force winds extended well east of the center and a Tropical Storm Warning continues in effect from Baffin Bay to High Island.   The warning extends inland through Houston.             

Now that the center of the storm has moved inland it will begin to weaken.  Winds should fall below tropical storm force this evening.  

Periods of heavy rain have been occurring today as rainbands move across the area. Rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour will occur with the heavier thunderstorms.  Rainfall totals are expected to be from 2 to 5 inches in much of the Houston metro area by Wednesday morning. Expect 4 to 8 inches of rain for portions of the area west and southwest of Houston near and just east of the path of the center.

Bill is forecast to begin moving northwest then north through central Texas tonight and Wednesday.   We will still have a good chance of more heavy rain from scattered thunderstorms on Wednesday.

Tides are running 4-5 feet on the coast and 3 to 4 feet in the bays, with above ground inundation of 1 to 2 feet on the exposed beaches at the coast.  The elevated tides and wave action will cause minor to moderate beach erosion.  Tides and waves will slowly subside tonight and Wednesday.

As with any landfalling tropical system, there is a risk of isolated tornadoes. The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning earlier this afternoon for a storm in western Chambers County.

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